MacArthur Fellows Program Collection

MacArthur Fellows Program Collection

Use this collection of lesson plans and videos to help students in grades 6-12 science, social studies, and English Language arts classrooms explore the following topics: the meaning of "genius" and creativity, intersectionality and personal identity, the Maker Movement and the design thinking process, the role of mentors and role models in students’ lives, and the idea of historiography through analyzing lyrics from Hamilton: An American Musical.

Each lesson plan introduces students to the MacArthur Fellows Program, integrates profile videos of several MacArthur Fellows, and provides opportunities for discussion, writing, and creative projects.

This lesson, inspired by the stories and experiences of MacArthur Foundation Fellowship recipients, introduces students to the origins and significance of the concept of “genius” and how it influences our perceptions and expectations of others and ourselves. Through the learning activities, students will explore how creative problem solving, enthusiasm, and hard work power “genius”.

In this interview, 2015 MacArthur Fellow Lin-Manuel Miranda shares his journey to Broadway and his realization that he was free to tell stories reflecting his own experiences and community. Miranda is a composer, lyricist, performer, and creator of Tony Award winning plays In the Heights, as well as Hamilton: An American Musical, which was also awarded the 2015 Pulitzer Prize. Miranda is reimagining American musical theater in works that fuse traditional storytelling with contemporary musical styles and voices. This resource is part of the MacArthur Fellows Program Collection.

In this interview, 2014 MacArthur Fellow Ai-jen Poo discusses the critical need to advocate for “women who do the work that makes all other work possible.” Poo is a labor organizer whose advocacy for home-based care workers—nannies, housekeepers, and eldercare workers—is helping to transform working conditions and labor standards for millions of people. Because an estimated 1–2 million domestic workers in the U.S. are still excluded from most federal and state labor laws, Poo continues to catalyze this movement for respect and improved working conditions. This resource is part of the MacArthur Fellows Program Collection.

In this interview, 2015 MacArthur Fellow Ta-Nehisi Coates talks about his evolution as a writer and his personal and professional interest in “how wide the umbrella of human rights and democracy can expand.” Coates’ work addresses complex and challenging issues such as racial identity, systemic racial bias, urban policing, and the case for reparations through the lens of personal experience and nuanced historical analysis. This resource is part of the MacArthur Fellows Program Collection.

In this interview, 2010 MacArthur Fellow Amir Abo-Shaeer discusses why he left a career in engineering and science to become a teacher at Dos Pueblos High School in Santa Barbara, California. In 2002, Abo-Shaeer created the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy (DPEA), a school-within-a-school with an applied science curriculum that integrates physics, engineering, and mathematics courses and hands-on building projects. Abo-Shaeer’s innovative model of science education is helping to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers for the 21st century. This resource is part of the MacArthur Fellows Program Collection.

In this interview, 2013 MacArthur Fellow Carrie Mae Weems, talks about her extraordinary career as a photographer and video installation artist who examines the complex legacy of African American identity, class, and culture. Weems’ intimate depictions of individuals and families illustrate the ongoing struggle for racial equality, human rights, and social inclusion in America. Weems’ recent projects also directly engage the community through initiatives to stop gun violence and youth programs that provide experiential training in visual art. This resource is part of the MacArthur Fellows Program Collection.

In this interview, 2011 MacArthur Fellow Jad Abumrad discusses the power of storytelling to engage new audiences in explorations of scientific and philosophical questions. As co-host and producer of the nationally syndicated program Radiolab, Abumrad integrates his background as a composer to orchestrate dialogue, music, and sound effects into compelling documentaries. Abumrad is inspiring curiosity within a new generation of listeners and experimenting with sound to find innovative ways to introduce ideas and tell a story. This resource is part of the MacArthur Fellows Program Collection.